JERSEY CITY, NJ - For the first time in the history of New Jersey collegiate athletics, programs from across the state will compete against each other in home dual matches, marking a historic milestone in New Jersey women's wrestling. The Garden State Collegiate Duals, is set to take place on Saturday, February 15, and will feature New Jersey City University, Felician University, and Centenary University.

The Garden State Collegiate Duals will bring together three of New Jersey's collegiate wrestling programs, offering athletes the rare opportunity to battle it out on their home turf while representing their institutions. This event not only highlights the growing prominence of women's wrestling within the state but will also set up rivalries among New Jersey's colleges and universities for the future.

"NJCU is excited to help lead the way in creating a lasting tradition that showcases the incredible talent within New Jersey's women's wrestling programs.  This event represents the spirit of excellence, inclusion, and community that we strive to foster at NJCU," said NJCU President Andres Acebo.

Recently, the NCAA added women's wrestling as its 91st championship sport, providing another opportunity for female athletes to compete. The championship will feature female athletes across all three divisions competing against one another with the first championship coming in 2026. 

"We are excited to host the inaugural Garden State Collegiate Duals, bringing together all of New Jersey's NCAA-sponsored women's wrestling programs for a historic day of competition. This event highlights the tremendous growth of women's wrestling in the Garden State and perfectly aligns with the NCAA's recent decision to establish a National Collegiate Championship for the sport. It's an exciting time for wrestling, and we're proud to showcase the passion, talent, and dedication of our New Jersey student-athletes. We look forward to building this event into a marquee tradition for years to come," said Robert Cole, NJCU Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics. 

Erin McCann, Vice President of Student Development and Community Engagement also shared her excitement.

"As New Jersey continues to make history in the world of women's wrestling, we are thrilled to support and host the inaugural Garden State Collegiate Duals. This event not only celebrates the remarkable progress of women's wrestling in our state but also reflects the commitment of our student-athletes and coaches to excellence here at NJCU."

The duals will feature a variety of weight classes with all three teams set to square off against one another. Spectators can expect a historic night that includes a ring ceremony for the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) Champion, Sandy Guerrero (West Orange, N.J./West Orange), who is the 11th national champion in NJCU history across all sports. 

Andrew Toriello, Director of Athletics, Felician University, is proud to be one of the founding members of this historic dual.

"We are thrilled to make history alongside NJCU and Centenary by participating in the inaugural Garden State Collegiate Duals. This event represents a significant milestone for women's wrestling in New Jersey, and we're proud to celebrate the growth of the sport at both the local and national levels." 

John Garriques, Director of Wrestling, Centenary University, is honored to be part of the first-ever Garden State Collegiate Duals.

"We are honored to be invited to the first-ever Garden State Collegiate Duals hosted by NJCU.  I believe that in-state rivalries like these are what wrestling is all about, in which it will help to grow our sport." 

The night will begin with a short ceremony for NJCU's seniors before NJCU takes on Felician to begin the night. Following the completion of that dual, Guerrero will be honored with her championship ring before Felician squares off against Centenary. The event will conclude with the Gothic Knights taking the mat against Centenary University. 

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.